A Million Little Pieces analytical paragraph

The Twelve Steps


Evaluate James's attitude toward the Twelves Steps, discuss why you think he is so against the steps.

The Twelve Steps, are a set of steps, given to an addict who is trying to become sober and stay sober. These steps, are told to save addicts lives and to help them stay on the path of a good and healthy recovery. These steps include admitting that you are powerless to your disease, to believe in a higher power, to have a spiritual awakening and so on. Many addicts who come into rehab are not open to the Twelve Steps, especially the preaching of God and prayer can make many feel as if they are involved in some sort of cult. James Frey is very against the Twelve Step Program because he thinks the steps are a waste of time. Frey also disagrees with the steps because they have not worked for him in the past. Frey is very against trying to call upon his "higher power," because he thinks there is none. James Frey is also not good with change. The way Frey would deal with change was to drink until he blacked out, or did cocaine until he couldn't feel his nose anymore. All of these things that were once a cushion for change, are no longer there for him. As one of the counselors of the rehab called him into her office, they began to discuss the Twelve Steps and what Frey needs to do to become sober. The counselor begins to explain that her sobriety is all due to the Twelve Steps. James immediately shuts down and is not open to the idea of participating in the Twelve Steps. "*You can have that too, you just have to do what we tell you and trust us, even if you think it's ridiculous. *If it involves the number Twelve, it's not gonna happen.*"(150). Frey shows that he is resistant to his counselor and her views of the Twelve Step program. Frey does not acknowledge the fact that the steps have worked for almost everyone. If a patient did not agree with a step they would simply skip it. Frey sees no compromise like others have seen, and will not even try the steps, not knowing that they might affect him differently than they did the last time he had tried them. James Frey is an addict and drugs, that disagrees with the Twelve Steps and does not enjoy change. For an addict, change is necessary, and the way Frey reacts to the steps and not wanting to do them, a healthy living style is no where in sight.